Failure to find an agreement on free trade within Europe before Brexit day is likely to result in gaps on UK supermarket shelves, increased waste and higher prices, retailers have warned.

More than three-quarters of food imported by the UK comes from the European Union, but if the UK does not agree on a transitional period or a deal when it leaves the bloc in March 2019, World Trade Organisation rules will apply.

This means that goods coming from the EU will be subject to the same custom checks, tariffs and regulations currently in place with the US, with some 180,000 extra firms drawn into customs declarations for the first time.

Gaps on shelves: A no-deal Brexit will mean shortage of and more expensive food products

The British Retail Consortium said this will cause delays of up to three days at ports such as Dover, which would result in a rise in food waste and fewer products reaching the shelves, which would in turn become more expensive both due to higher import tariffs.

The organisation said that an agreement on customs is not enough and should be flanked by agreements on security, transit, haulage, drivers and VAT.

It also called on the Government for ‘significant’ investment in the UK’s ports, roads and infrastructure ‘to get systems ready for Brexit day and thereafter’.

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It comes as the Government published a paper in which it laid out options for a 'customs union' earlier this month. So far, none of the UK's Brexit papers have been deemed satisfactory by the European Commission.

The BRC said in a report: ‘The choice and availability of affordable, quality products for consumers is at risk without additional agreements and investment to supplement a customs deal. European supply chains are a key part of delivering the goods that UK consumers buy every day.

‘The majority of those goods are ones that need to be transported quickly, particularly food. This means the UK needs a system of controls after Brexit which ensures that products can continue to be imported without delays, disruption or additional costs, which would affect availability on the shelves, increase waste and push prices up.’

The warning comes as food price inflation continues to accelerate, in part because of a weaker pound. Figures by the BRC out today show food prices rose by 1.3 per cent in the year to August, up from July’s increase of 1.2 per cent.

The inflation rate of ambient food prices also accelerated to 1.9 per cent in August from 1.6 per cent in July – the highest since December 2013.

Only fresh food prices showed an easing in inflation, which slowed to 0.8 per cent this month from 1 per cent in July.

Helen Dickinson, the BRC chief executive, said the only reason for this was down to the seasonal availability of UK-grown fruit and vegetables.

‘The seasonal availability of fruit and vegetables from UK suppliers is currently shielding shoppers from the impact of higher import prices. However, as Winter approaches and our dependence shifts to imported goods, that will change,’ she said.

The BRC warned a no-deal Brexit will cause delays of up to three days at ports such as Dover

Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: 'Following Brexit, we’ve already seen an increase in supply costs as a result of the depreciation in sterling, which has in turn driven up prices for consumers. Businesses are largely managing this increase in supply costs by reducing their profit margins and increasing their efforts to secure a larger share in the marketplace.

'However, as clearing customs looks likely to become more difficult and costly for businesses post-Brexit, it could reach a point where companies are unable to take any more of the strain, forcing them to pass any further rise in costs onto consumers.'

The BRC report highlighted the importance of cross-border trade with the Republic of Ireland - since a 'no-deal' could mean the return of a hard border in Northern Ireland.

The BRC it should be a priority to ensure that the new land frontier with the EU does not make it easier to dump goods on the market or more difficult to track food through all stages of production.

The report also stressed the importance of maintaining strong trade links with Turkey once the UK no longer benefits from the EU's customs deal with Ankara.

Some 3 per cent of non-food imports come from Turkey and the country is an important part of the supply chain for the textiles industry and clothes shops.

A Government spokesman said: 'The PM has made clear that we will be seeking a deep and special partnership with the EU, that works in the interests of businesses and consumers in both the UK and the EU.

'We have published a paper that lays out the Government's aspirations for the UK's future customs arrangements and also makes clear that we want an implementation period, that avoids a cliff-edge for business and allows a smooth and orderly exit from the EU.'